History
1949 | Runza® was Founded
In 1949, a legend was born. It all started with a small, cinder block stand with walk-up order windows. Ground-beef-and-cabbage entrepreneurs Sally Everett and her brother, Alex Brening, opened the restaurant near Pioneers Park.
![The first Runza® location.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrupal.runza.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_images%2Fgeneral%2F13061473535_86bf49a7bb_z.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
![Donald Everett Sr.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrupal.runza.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_images%2Fgeneral%2Fdon-sr-young.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
1964
Donald Everett Sr.
Sally Everett's son, Donald Everett Sr., begins working full time at Runza®.
![The second Runza® location at 56th & Holdrege in Lincoln, NE.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrupal.runza.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_images%2Fgeneral%2F56th-holdrege-location.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
1966
Second Location
The second Runza® location opens at 56th & Holdrege in Lincoln, NE.
![1977 Runza® Logo](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrupal.runza.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_images%2Fgeneral%2F1977-logo-1200x675.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
1966
Trademark
Donald Everett, Sr. purchases the trade name and incorporates Runza® Restaurants.
![Runza® meal in itself sign.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrupal.runza.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_images%2Fgeneral%2Frunza-franchising.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
1979
Franchising
Runza® Restaurants begins franchising.
![1980's tv](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrupal.runza.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_images%2Fgeneral%2Fadvertising.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
1979
Advertising
Runza® begins advertising on TV.
![Runza® drive-thru-sign in the 1980's.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrupal.runza.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_images%2Fgeneral%2Frunza-drive-thru-starts.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
1981
Drive-Thrus
Drive-thru lanes replace car hops.
1983 | 20 Locations Strong
Runza® expands to 20 locations in Nebraska, Colorado, and Iowa.
![20 Runza® Locations](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrupal.runza.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_images%2Fgeneral%2F20-locations-1200x675_0.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
![183 Runza® Logo](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrupal.runza.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_images%2Fgeneral%2F1983-logo-1200x675.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
1983
Runza® implements a new logo.
![Italian Runza® Sandwich - Hungry for something real?](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrupal.runza.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_images%2Fgeneral%2Fitalian-runza.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
1985
Italian Love
The Italian Runza® Sandwich is introduced to the menu.
1987 | 40 Locations Strong
Runza® expands to 40 locations in Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, and Kansas.
![40 Runza® Locations](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrupal.runza.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_images%2Fgeneral%2F40-locations-1200x675.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
![40 Year Celebration Meal Deal](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrupal.runza.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_images%2Fgeneral%2Fcelebrating-40-years-1200x675.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
1989
Celebrating 40 years
Runza® celebrates its 40th Anniversary with a $1.99 Meal Deal promotion.
![Grilled Chicken Sandwiches](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrupal.runza.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_images%2Fgeneral%2Fchicken-sandwiches-1200x675.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
1989
Grilled Chicken
Grilled Chicken Sandwiches are introduced to the menu.